International conference on calligraphy in the digital age held in Milan

On November 25-26, 2016, the Associazione Calligrafica Italiana convened at the Archivio di Stato di Milano to explore the future of handwriting. Among the speakers were Brody Neuenschwander and several specialists. Discussions revolved around the influence of digital technology on writing, the connection between hand and brain, and the significance of calligraphy in visual communication. In both China and Japan, calligraphy (shufa, shodō) is regarded as a form of art and a spiritual pursuit. In the Arab world, it enhances architecture due to religious restrictions. Contemporary artists such as Shirin Neshat utilize calligraphy, while a revival occurred in late 19th-century Europe, led by figures like William Morris. Francesca Biasetton highlighted the importance of differentiating calligraphy from typography, encouraging artists to innovate with letter designs.